Left-turning cager kills rider

[double_entendre]

I had posted this to ADV as well, but wanted to put it here as well. Pay attention folks. They sure as hell aren't.

After 10 or 15 minutes they were still doing chest compressions. And they said they had called his kids as the ambulance was leaving. The odds were as tilted for him as they could be--one of the guys on the scene was a fireman and another was a paramedic. They were working on him before any on-duty cops or paramedics showed up.
 
I followed up with the HBPD the next morning. He didn't make it.
 
I was driving home down a six lane street. I'm ready to turn right on my way home and I'm being passed as I brake on the left in the center lane by a guy on a cruiser going straight.
 
He never had a chance. Gal coming the other way paused at the light and then turned left directly in front of him. She was, I guess, going to turn into the left lane while I would turn into the right. Obnoxious violation of my right of way, but she wouldn't be the first to do that to me at that intersection. I guess she fixated on me and "didn't see him."
 
He plowed right into the front fender of her car at 40+ miles/hour (speed limit: 45). He grabbed the brakes and started to swerve, but she gave him no chance.
 
You know that hideous sound that a collision makes? Yeah.
 
He went flying ten, fifteen feet up into the air, twisting around, and landing hard on the pavement.
 
The car spun a 180 and drifted up onto the sidewalk, facing almost exactly the way it was coming from.
 
I'm sure she'll get a ticket for failure to yield or some such.
 
:sigh:
 
I don't know you, my compadre, but I raised a toast to you in hope against all the odds that night. It was a beautiful evening for a ride.
 

https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=33.686469,-118.014836&spn=0.001069,0.001719&t=h&z=19Intersection linky
https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=33.686469,-118.014836&spn=0.001069,0.001719&t=h&z=19.
Ride safe folks, and assume that they don't see you. On the evidence, they don't. :sigh:

Rancho

 

[Toecutter]

Left-turning cager kills rider

If I had a dollar for every time that has happened....

:rip_1: :bye2:

 

[SkooterG]

Did you walk up to the lady and simply say, "you know, just because you weren't paying enough attention while driving you probably killed somebody today."

Not nice I know. But me, I would want to make the point crystal clear.

 

[Fred W]

Did you walk up to the lady and simply say, "you know, just because you weren't paying enough attention while driving you probably killed somebody today."
Not nice I know. But me, I would want to make the point crystal clear.

She would have been in denial anyway... <_<

So, looking at the overhead view of that intersection, do you mean to say that the left turning traffic is free to cut across 3 lanes of oncoming traffic on a green light? That is completely ridiculous. If that is the case then the traffic engineers for the city/town may have culpability in this accident.

In most parts of the civilized world they have a red left turn arrow for the left turn lanes when the oncoming traffic has the solid green.

 

[Bungie]

Its been a bad couple of weeks around these parts too.

First a *raging* drunk kid of 26 gets thrown out of bar, attempts to pass somebody, can't make it and swerves back in, onto the shoulder of the road. Their are 3 kids between 15 and 16 standing their waiting for a bus. All dead. Driver flees the scene and 2 km later hits a house... now get this, the car was 8 FEET off the ground when it hit the house. Police estimate he was doing over 160km when he left the road because their are *NO* tire tracks on the leading across the lawn to the house.

A 55 year old rider and 4 other bikes, one of whom is his son are riding down the hwy. A 23 year old girl is waiting to make a right turn onto the hwy. She lets the first 2 bikes go past, then pulls out in between. The 55 year old rider didn't even have time to touch his brakes or swerve and struck the car directly in front of the drivers side door. His son hits the vehicle in the rear quarter. Father dead at the scene (on fathers day no less). Son in critical condition. She blows over.

Next day, my good buddy Jacques and his wife Fran on his Gold Wing. Jacques has been riding for perhaps 35 years. His wife is a passenger VERY rarely. Perhaps once or twice per year. Drunk driver hits them broadside while stopped at an intersection. His 900lb Gold Wing is punted over 300 feet before it comes to rest. Driver has multiple DUI's and is driving without insurance or a license. Right, repeat offender. Jacques is torn up pretty bad but will make a good recovery. Fran, his wife, lost her leg and remains in ICU slipping in and out of coma. Both these folks are good people.

3 days later a drunk 65 year old woman ends up reversing into her neighbours swimming pool.

Obviously theirs been a huge public outcry demanding more enforcement. Unfortunately it will have little affect, and even that will be temporary. The number of people that drive aggressive, inconsiderate, stoned, drunk, and flat out lacking the necessary skills frightens me. If your not doing 20 over, your going to get RUN OVER. I was shocked on my recent visit to the states, you guys drive very well - thats what the threat of a State Troopers will do for you! Returning home highlighted just how bad our local drivers are. God help you if you ride a bike and go out and lunch-time on a weekday. I flat REFUSE to do it on the bike. If I know I have to go out at lunch time in the morning, I take the truck.

I think its time to move...

 

[smokeFJR06]

Did you walk up to the lady and simply say, "you know, just because you weren't paying enough attention while driving you probably killed somebody today."
Not nice I know. But me, I would want to make the point crystal clear.

She would have been in denial anyway... <_<

So, looking at the overhead view of that intersection, do you mean to say that the left turning traffic is free to cut across 3 lanes of oncoming traffic on a green light? That is completely ridiculous. If that is the case then the traffic engineers for the city/town may have culpability in this accident.

In most parts of the civilized world they have a red left turn arrow for the left turn lanes when the oncoming traffic has the solid green.

Good point Fred. I can't believe she would be able to turn on green at that intersection. That wouldn't be the case here where I live. So sorry for the family of this rider. That is always my fear approaching that condition. I almost always assume they are going to pull out in front of me. I usually slow way down and have my hand and foot ready to brake hard at any sign of trouble. I realize there are times when even though we are prepared, it's not enough.

What scares me more now is all the texting going on while driving. I so hope it becomes a federal law against texting while driving. Everyone talks about how dangerous this is, but I still see it all the time. Got off base here, but my thoughts and regrets go out to this man's family.

Sad.....

 

[Toecutter]

In most parts of the civilized world they have a red left turn arrow for the left turn lanes when the oncoming traffic has the solid green.

It wasn't that way when I started driving, and I've never pulled into somebody else's path to date. I despise those red arrows, telling me I'm not smart enough to know when oncoming traffic is clear to turn. We recently had a rider killed the same way, but the left-turning cager violated the red arrow to get him....

 

[Fred W]

In most parts of the civilized world they have a red left turn arrow for the left turn lanes when the oncoming traffic has the solid green.

It wasn't that way when I started driving, and I've never pulled into somebody else's path to date. I despise those red arrows, telling me I'm not smart enough to know when oncoming traffic is clear to turn. We recently had a rider killed the same way, but the left-turning cager violated the red arrow to get him....

I know what you mean. I hate the red arrows too. But, see, here's the thing:

Do you think that you are an "average" driver? Maybe even somewhat above average? I tend to think I am, partly because I do ride a murdercycle sometimes, so am more attentive than the average bear in the cage. It's not you and me I'm worried about not being able to judge the speed of 3 lanes of oncoming traffic and whether it's safe to cross, it's that 50% that qualifies as "below average"...

In the case where the cager is too stupid, too busy, in too much of a rush, or too inebriated to comply with existing traffic signals and causes a fatal accident, at least the widow will benefit somewhat.

 

[Big Sky]

I'm not sure of the exact statistic, but it seems about 50 percent of the reported injury accidents involving a motorcycle also involve another vehicle, and that of that 50 percent, about 75 percent of those are caused by a car turning left in front of the motorcycle (someone will probably dig out the exact stats). But what causes folks to turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle? "I didn't see him/her!" Why didn't you see them?

This from today's Billings Gazette, happened just outside the state capital, Helena:

Nevada man dies in motorcycle crash

By Gazette News Services

HELENA - A 38-year-old Nevada man has died of injuries suffered when a minivan pulled into the path of his motorcycle on U.S. 12 just east of East Helena.

Lance Beckert died Tuesday morning, according to Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson.

The Montana Highway Patrol said Beckert's motorcycle collided with the minivan about 9:40 p.m. Monday.

The patrol said the collision knocked Beckert off his westbound motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet.

Patrol Sgt. Mike Swingley said the driver of the minivan, an 18-year-old East Helena woman, will be cited for failure to yield. He said an investigation will determine if other charges will be filed.

 

[Bobcattoo]

"I so hope it becomes a federal law against texting while driving. Everyone talks about how dangerous this is, but I still see it all the time."

Tenn. just enacted such a law. [SIZE=18pt]BUT, the fine is a measly $50. AND, how many people are they really going to catch in the act? Most will be cited after an accident or in conjunction with some other infraction.[/SIZE]

 

[happyPuppy]

It is all so sad. The big problem is we are to the point of making laws against fools, and they are have more fools it seems in the world than we can create laws. Added to that is all the laws are retroactive, after it has happened. The only thing I can think of is 3 drink max limits at Pubs as harsh as it is to all and wheel locks or vehicle confiscation on a conviction for DUI. We have the cell phone and texting laws in WA now and they are ignored.

 

[double_entendre]

At that intersection there's a green arrow that then changes later to a green light. So at first the folks turning left have the right of way, then later they have to yield to oncoming traffic. Like this, but the arrow pointing left.

It's like Fred & Toecutter were saying: It's not like it's some big deal to pay attention and turn when it's safe, but apparently that chick wasn't able to handle the pressure of turning.

I don't know if there was alcohol involved here--I'd be surprised given the time of day--but I'd have no problem with them getting *really* snotty about DUI. First time....yeah....I can kinda see a whoopsie so we'll be nice and you only spend a year in jail or so.

But after that, well, it's a good time for two strikes and you're out. I fail to see anything wrong with it. Taking a license or selling a car means nothing as far as stopping people from driving.

Bungie: 1) Really sorry for your losses, but clearly you weren't in SoCal when you visited. These folks are nutso.

Rancho

 

[Geezer]

One reason I moved out of urban NJ to a nice rural area in NY state. Every time I ride to my Dad's place in NJ somebody tries to kill me. It's gotten to the point where I seriously think about taking the cage rather than risk riding in that mess.

 

[mdisher]

We just had one the day before yesterday.

A guy my father went to high school with was giving his granddaughter a ride on his Harley. They met an 5th wheel head on that had crossed the center line in a corner. 12 year old dead at the scene, Grandfather listed in serious condition but I think that doesn't sum it up properly.

His granddaughter was his only, and to add to insult to injury, his son-in-law was killed in a freak diving accident less than a year ago.

The world is a cruel place sometimes.

Grrr....

 

[wheatonFJR]

We just had one the day before yesterday.
A guy my father went to high school with was giving his granddaughter a ride on his Harley. They met an 5th wheel head on that had crossed the center line in a corner. 12 year old dead at the scene, Grandfather listed in serious condition but I think that doesn't sum it up properly.

His granddaughter was his only, and to add to insult to injury, his son-in-law was killed in a freak diving accident less than a year ago.

The world is a cruel place sometimes.

Grrr....

 

[Patriot]

We just had one the day before yesterday.
A guy my father went to high school with was giving his granddaughter a ride on his Harley. They met an 5th wheel head on that had crossed the center line in a corner. 12 year old dead at the scene, Grandfather listed in serious condition but I think that doesn't sum it up properly.

His granddaughter was his only, and to add to insult to injury, his son-in-law was killed in a freak diving accident less than a year ago.

The world is a cruel place sometimes.

Grrr....

geez, geez, geez :dribble:

 

[CODan]

IMO, these people (and DUI drivers) need to be charged with more than 'Failure to Yield' or some such.

Vehicular Homicide, Accidental Manslaughter or similar sounds about right. Spend two years in jail, pay 100% of 2 years income in penalty, do 2 years of community service. Have a ruined life.

Until society knows that the penalty is much greater than a dented up car, no one will give a damn.

 

[wheatonFJR]

IMO, these people (and DUI drivers) need to be charged with more than 'Failure to Yield' or some such.
Vehicular Homicide, Accidental Manslaughter or similar sounds about right. Spend two years in jail, pay 100% of 2 years income in penalty, do 2 years of community service. Have a ruined life.

Until society knows that the penalty is much greater than a dented up car, no one will give a damn.

Amen!

Can I say that here?

 

[FatNakedGuy]

i need a fukin' hug now..